"You--"
Are you really leaving?
Raka couldn't ask that. As explained, the Rokka's Oath was absolute for them. No one could break that oath. Of course, Raka was included.
"......."
Mika, who was packing her things, paused at the look on her brother's face.
"Nii-san... if I could not go, I would not go," Mika replied casually.
Raka and Youka were confused by Mika's answer. But they could more or less guess the reason.
"Did you see something from Threadvision that time?" asked Youka.
Mika nodded, "Yeah."
"Unofficial Irregular Ranker? No, Naeva Winter it's not that simple."
Mika finished her clothes, put them into Inventory, and prepared to head out with Angelica in hand. The Lyra Erato that Naeva had left behind was also included.
"Don't worry, Nii-san. That incident back then won't happen as long as she confesses to me," said Mika.
"Why are you so sure?"
Youka wanted to ask that too. But it felt unnecessary. Mika must know something about Naeva that made her so sure that Naeva could protect her even from the big Guilds.
Neither Raka nor Youka wanted Mika to leave. They still thought the outside world was too dangerous for their sister. They were afraid that what happened decades ago would happen again. But that stubborn little sister, once she had decided on something, she would definitely do it to the end. There was no point in trying to stop Mika now.
Raka who had been closing his eyes and thinking hard, now sighed heavily.
"Haa~ahhh..."
"You know risk of Threadvision falling into wrong hands once again, right?" Raka asked with emphasis.
"I know," Mika replied.
Raka clenched his fists tightly.
"Mika, if something happens... That makes your Threadvision get misused again and there's no chance of saving you..."
It was honestly hard to say this to his little sister.
"...When that happens, kill yourself."
Youka, "!?"
"Nii-san!!! What are you saying!!?" Youka snapped angrily as he lifted his brother's collar.
Mika, "......."
Raka remained calm despite being yelled at by his brother like that. He tried to think rationally.
"Nothing good will happen if Threadvision is used for personal purposes. You know that, Youka."
"But--!!!"
"Have you forgotten how severe impact of that incident was!?" Raka snapped in turn.
Youka widened his eyes. His hands relaxed and released his grip on Raka.
"T-That..."
Raka adjusted his clothes.
"I didn't want to ask Mika to do that either."
"But... it's undeniably better than my sister's lifetime of being abused by rotten people."
Raka turned to stare at the pensive Mika.
"That time... you were lucky that Yuka was there."
"Assume you don't have a next time. Take good care of yourself. Don't let the worst that Rokka predicted happen because of you, Mika."
"Mi-Mika, Nii-san didn't mean--"
Youka tried to calm down her sister who might have suffered a mental attack.
"!"
But contrary to his expectations, his sister smiled confidently.
"I told you, it won't happen."
"That person will definitely protect me no matter what as long as I pass the test. If she didn't intend that from the start, she wouldn't have given me a chance to take her test," Mika replied.
"2 years of Lyra Erato training... haha... Grand Master... she's trying to test whether I'm as good as Muse Erato or not... Damn it... How can I possibly be lazy at this rate..." Mika's mind was somewhat depressed.
"Okay, I accept your challenge."
For your information, the first Erato, Liliana Erato, only took 2 years to fully understand how to use Lyra Erato and all its variations. All Naeva was asking from now on was its use as a genetic seal. If that was all Mika could do, it meant that the girl's potential was too low for Naeva to recognize.
"Haa... You're 100% sure, huh..."
"Alright, off you go."
Raka finally gave his permission. Of course, he had to.
"Remember my message well. Don't let a second EtaSol be born," Raka said with emphasis.
Mika grumbled a little, but obeyed anyway.
"Okay, okay. I understand. How many times has Nii-san said that!"
Now it was Youka who gently patted his sister's head with a gentle smile.
"Take good care of yourself Mika. I don't want to see you fall like before."
"........"
Mika blushed slightly. A faint smile was etched on her face as she turned her back to her brothers.
"Ittekimasu, kono baka Nii-san."
"Say my good bye to my little nieces and nephews as well. Their chatty aunt is leaving first. Nee-san tachi... well, there's no need. I can imagine they'll grumble, though."
"Jaa nee~"
Mika left the house as she waved her hand. She didn't face her brothers for fear that the doubts that kept haunting her would come back again.
Leaving their sister like that, Raka and Youka could only watch her walk away.
"Itterasshai... oretachi no kuso imouto."
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****OOO****
Character Information
Name: Naeva WinterNova: X PlatinumRace: Ice PrincessAge: 30 [https://img.wattpad.com/cb8f0d88b7134804ecb442152f4467319042df66/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f3949337470466d344b58526565773d3d2d313338333834363939382e313739656230656433386130623364373638393733393437333032322e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
Name: Naeva Winter
Nova: X Platinum
Race: Ice Princess
Age: 30.000+
Status: Irregular
Affiliation: None
-------------------------------------------------
Name: MikaNova: II GreenRace: Noctis RokkaAge: 186 years oldStatus: Rokka Half EratoAffiliation: Rokka Village [https://img.wattpad.com/02b043dc765a039e99c98059e506668c9c6bf543/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f42466b6a513041745232525534773d3d2d313338333834363939382e313739656230643561323338376134643534393733373837343336342e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
Name: Mika
Nova: II Green
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
Race: Noctis Rokka
Age: 186 years old
Status: Rokka Half Erato
Affiliation: Rokka Village
****OOO****
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Ravine 5th Floor
TAP TAP TAP
Mika's steps came to a halt. An unusual sight on 5th Floor caught her attention. It had only been two hours since Naeva had left the village. It hadn't even taken Mika that long to arrive at the location Naeva was referring to.
"Actually... when did she build this? Crazy..." Mika thought to herself when she saw the winter area in one corner of 5th Floor where a giant ice monster squatting quietly was the source.
Just below the monster, a house-shaped igloo gave off a faint glow. From any angle, it was obvious that the person was waiting for her there. Although doubt and fear filled her heart, in order to prevent the worst future she could predict, Mika stepped into the igloo.
CKLEKKKK
The door opened, a beautiful girl with long white hair was sitting on a long sofa drinking tea served by a lavender-haired woman standing next to her.
TAKK
The girl placed her tea can onto a tray that the woman carried gracefully.
"I take it you're ready now."
Mika gave a small grin.
"I'm a genius."
"Neither Liliana nor any other Erato can master Lyra Erato as quickly as I can," Mika replied confidently.
"Two years? That's too long. How to use Lyra Erato for genetic seals, I'll learn in one month. Teach the rest until two years are over, Master."
The look in her eyes was similar to Ophelia's. Although the nature of the two of them was inversely proportional. But both of them had the determination to achieve what they wanted. Also the readiness to take the path that they previously wanted to avoid.
Naeva smiled slightly, she was satisfied and a little intrigued. It was good to pass the time. After all, she was also a little bored because servant 1 had left. Thankfully, servant 2 has been acquired.
"Hmm... Making a second-generation Muse seems okay too," the idle thought crossed Naeva's head.
Naeva got up from sofa, then left the newly arrived Mika with the woman, Virgo with her.
"Virgo, teach her."
Virgo, [ !? ]
Mika, "!!???"
Virgo's eyes rounded, but calmed down quickly.
[ I understand, Eva-sama's wish is an order for me ]
[ To what extent should I teach her? ]
"Enough for next month's test."
[ Okay, Eva-sama ]
"W-Wait!!!" reproached Mika.
"Aren't you going to teach me!?" asked the girl rather frantically.
Without any expression on her face, Naeva flatly replied.
"You're that confident."
"I'll test you next month."
Mika, "!!!!"
"B-But--!"
SWOOOOOOOOSSHHH
Naeva built an ice wall separating the two halves of the igloo until Mika could no longer see it.
"--the agreement... not like this..."
Mika's voice sounded even quieter.
"........"
"Ah... you idiot... What's with the pretentious show in front of Grand Master..." Mika cried.
[ ....... ]
Virgo, who saw her like that, could only smile pityingly. It looked like victim of the master's boredom was growing again.
Out of sympathy, Virgo patted Mika's shoulder lightly.
[ I will take you to your room ]
[ Try to adjust to this place first. We'll start the training tomorrow, okay? ] Virgo smiled.
"This woman... She's one on the 3rd floor with Naeva Winter, right? Her Ego Weapon, huh..."
Mika still regretted her behavior. But flour has become bread, there was nothing she could do about it.
".... Okay..."
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Approximately 4 months later
5th Floor Tower Elevator Building
"Don't joke with me!!!" snapped an Anubis girl at the receptionist in the 5th Floor Tower elevator building which was located at the far end of the 5th Floor ravine in the opposite direction from where the novice Conqueror was teleported to this floor.
"There's no way she hasn't gotten here yet!!!"
"You must have tricked me, right!? Tell me the truth, damn it! She must have passed by a long time ago but you won't tell me, right!"
The receptionist smiled wryly. It was hard to deal with visitors like this.
"I'm telling the truth."
"No Conqueror named Naeva Winter has used the 5th Floor Tower Elevator before," replied the receptionist trying to remain calm.
Instead, that Anubis girl, Bere became even more annoyed.
"💢💢"
"Just say you don't want to tell me!!! No need to use lie--"
The Calliope girl's hand stretched out to mediate between the two. The girl, Ophelia Calliope, shook her head softly at her party mate.
"--!"
Of course, Bere was instantly silenced. Although Ophelia did not manage to stop that girl's anger.
"It's no use, she won't change her answer, Bere..." Ophelia said.
"There are only two possibilities. Like you said, she's lying. Or--"
Ophelia gave the receptionist a deep glance that was as calm as surface of sea.
"--Naeva hasn't come here yet."
"Hoo... Are you saying that Naeva hasn't come yet because she did something first?" said the man next to them, Hamer.
"Is there another possibility?" quipped Ophelia.
Hamer shook his head dismissively.
"Yeah, yeah. You're right."
"There's no way a Naeva would spend so long on 5th Floor. Unless there's something she wants to do," said Hamer.
Ophelia gasped slightly, she realized something. Seeing an opportunity in the girl's calmness, Hamer continued his words.
"Let's just say that 'something' is related to Rokka. Considering she brought Ruka."
"So what do you want now, Lady Calliope?" asked Hamer as if to elevate Ophelia's status, even though it sounded like sarcasm.
Seeing him like that, it was impossible for Bere not to feel annoyed. Immediately, her right hand slid out to pinch Hamer's side belly.
"What the heck, uncle!!! 💢💢"
Hamer, "OUCHH!!!"
"Instead of helping, you're nagging!!! 💢💢" she annoyed.
"Here I am helping, woyy!!!" Hamer replied.
"In what way is it helping!!!" Bere got angry, increasing her pinch.
Hamer winced in pain, he tried to shake off the Anubis girl's hand.
"We'll have to make a decision soon!"
"This party could be completely destroyed if the party leader is wishy-washy here!!!" screamed Hamer between trying to defend himself and trying to get Bere off.
Ophelia, "!"
"What the heck! 💢💢 Lia already has a lot on her plate! Don't add to it!"
Bere had no intention of letting go of Hamer.
"I know that too! But this is not the right situation for--"
"You're not helping, you're hurting! Shitty Uncle!!" Bere interrupted.
Ophelia let out a small sigh.
"You two, stop fighting."
"Hamer is right. This is not the time to make a fuss about it."
Bere, "Lia--!!!"
"But that doesn't mean we won't do anything and just stay here waiting for Naeva," Ophelia continued.
Bere and Hamer, "!"
Ophelia looked at the two in turn.
"Before parting ways with Ruka, she had told us the outline of the ascension exam up to the 10th Floor, right?"
"Since we're talking about Naeva, there's no need for us to worry about her. She will definitely ascend as soon as her business is done. It's better to worry about ourselves."
Bere also realized something.
"The 6th Floor Ascension Exam..."
"That's right. The 6th Floor Ascension Exam will be a bit troublesome. Do you know what the record for the fastest completion of that Exam is?" Ophelia asked to confirm.
Hamer replied, "4 years..."
Hamer ruffled his hair, he too was tired before starting.
"The fastest alone took 4 years... The longest alone took three decades."
"Yes. We will definitely meet Naeva again on the 6th Floor. Even if we go first. All we have to worry about is ourselves. There's no way we'll be stuck there for years, right?"
"Let's start first, we have to gather all the information and do our best to escape quickly," smiled Ophelia.
Bere and Hamer liked her words. They smiled at each other before answering Ophelia in unison.
Hamer, "Okay! Let's go!"
Bere, "Yeps! Might as well set a record for the fastest finish!"
Thankfully, both of them accepted the decision without any burden. Despite temporarily losing 2 partners, Ophelia was still able to think rationally as she was not alone now.
Bere had already slid into the elevator first, leaving Hamer and Ophelia in front of the reception.
"Hurry up, you two!"
"You two so slow!!!"
"Yeah, yeah... That one kid..." laughed Hamer, stepping into Bere's place.
"Pfftt... Okay."
Ophelia also matched her steps with Hamer. However, before gathering with her two friends, the breeze that blew a bit of her hair, brought back old memories that she had forgotten. Event memories that had happened, long before meeting two of them.
"Asterio Calliope... Your ancestor, I heard that he managed to fully master the Calliope Pen in just 3.5 years. Even though of all the types of Muse Weapon, the Calliope Pen is the one that requires the highest comprehension (not to say the hardest to master, but the most complicated)."
"I'm curious. Can you, who is his descendant, master it as quickly as him? Or even faster?"
"Hahaha, what are you talking about? Don't compare my ancestor to me. He was a genius, you know. Plus his teacher is the creator of that weapon itself. There's no way I can fight him," laughed Ophelia at the time.
The girl Ophelia was speaking to fell silent.
"......."
"I don't know if you have low self-esteem or no ambition. So boring," the girl said flatly, without any expression.
"Hey! Don't talk like that! I have ambition! And I'm not inferior. I'm self-aware. My words aren't wrong, right?" Ophelia denied.
The girl glanced at her, "Then if you were given same opportunity as that person. Would you be able to master it faster?"
Ophelia was silent, she didn't expect the girl to ask her again.
".... If that's case..."
"I wouldn't take years for that. A few months should be more than enough," she replied honestly, without any intention of bragging.
The girl in front of Ophelia smiled faintly, but implied her satisfaction.
"Hmm..."
"Prove it to me. If you can master the basic stages of Calliope's Pen in a week and prove to me that you can apply them in real situations, I'll teach you the later stages, if I have time later," said that girl.
Ophelia chuckled.
"Hahahaha, what the hell? If you have time later, seriously? Isn't this just a trick of yours to challenge me?"
"Think so," the girl replied.
Their conversation ended there. Ophelia clearly remembered all the words the girl had spoken in the middle of the forest that day. At first, she didn't fully understand the girl's intentions. But now, it seemed like Ophelia could understand it.
"We must meet again, Naeva. You haven't kept your promise to me."
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=========== End ==========
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